The NASCAR Cup Series Toyota Save Mart 350 at Sonoma is on Sunday and DraftKings is offering a new way to play fantasy NASCAR. The game is simple. Build a “Pick Set” (2+ drivers) and decide if they will outperform their stat projections. Here is some advice to help build your DraftKings Pick6 Pick Sets for the NASCAR Cup Series Toyota Save Mart 350 at Sonoma.
Shane van Gisbergen: Laps Led – 38.5
Pick6 Play: More
What are the rules? Must these DK Network articles feature multiple drivers, or is it all about the picks? It seems like the picks are the focus. It’s a bit more challenging to write compelling paragraphs about them, but the first paragraph is done, and none of the significant stats have been used up.
There are plenty of stats supporting SVG. It’s remarkable. The Kiwi has one of the shortest resumes in the field but the longest list of achievements. To expand on his resume, van Gisbergen’s includes his name, number, email and a hefty achievements section. Experience doesn’t matter when a driver’s accomplishments fill an entire page. Before entering NASCAR, van Gisbergen secured 63 wins in the Repco Supercars Championship. It was easy to dismiss those stats in 2023. Most international road course ringers step into NASCAR with strong resumes from open-wheel racing series. Supercars, however, are not open-wheel racecars. They’re not quite American stock cars, but they’re not far off. SVG has three wins in nine Cup Series road course races and four in the Xfinity Series, including the 2024 Sonoma race.
This will be a 110-lap race on Sunday at Sonoma. Who else is going to lead? SVG has the pole. He’s the fastest driver in the fastest car. He could easily lead 50, 60, or even 70 laps.
Shane van Gisbergen: Fast Laps – 16.5
Pick6 Play: More
It appears that DraftKings took the total laps and divided by two. It doesn’t make much sense. There are still 110 laps, offering plenty of opportunities for drivers to record fast laps. Those laps will come from the front, in clean air, with a clear racetrack. SVG could easily clear this number in Stage 1. This isn’t a race where a driver can earn fast laps by drafting. The pole position earns the points.
It’s not lazy—it’s van Gisbergen across the board. Forget the stats. Trust your eyes. Watch the ringer race. He’s smooth. He puts the field to shame, and they know it. They admit it. Cup Series drivers are the best of the best. To a man, they believe no one can beat them. That confidence got them to the Cup Series. But that confidence has all but disappeared at road courses. It’s now a staple of road course interviews during practice and qualifying for drivers to say it’s going to be hard to beat van Gisbergen. They’re all racing for second.
Before the 1986 NBA three-point contest, Larry Bird walked into the locker room and said, “I want all of you to know I am winning this thing. Who’s playing for second?” That’s SVG at Sonoma.
For NASCAR insight and quick DFS help, follow Pearce Dietrich (@Race4thePrize) on Twitter.
What is DraftKings Pick6?
Pick6 is a peer-to-peer fantasy variant where you build a lineup (your “Pick Set”) of at least two players and select whether or not you believe each will outperform their listed stat projection. Enter your Pick Set in Pick6 contests to compete against other users. Get enough picks correct and win a share of cash prizes.
How to Play DraftKings Pick6
Create a Pick Set
Create a Pick Set by choosing at least two players from the same sport and Pick Group (a set of picks available from a group of set competitions). For each player, simply select if you think they’ll have more or less than their listed stat projection. In each Pick Set, you can not pick the same player twice and you must pick players from at least two different teams.
Enter an Amount
Once you finalize your Pick Set, choose your entry fee amount. Your entries will be automatically distributed into available contests, subject to your confirmation.
Sweat Your Picks
When the games go live, use the My Picks tab to follow your picks in real time to track how your players are performing against their projections and how they stack up against other users.
Compete for Prizes
Make enough correct picks and win a share of the contests’ guaranteed prizes. Any prizes won will be credited to your DraftKings account after contests are finalized.
Play at DraftKings Pick6 or by downloading the DraftKings Pick6 app on Apple or Google!
